A petition circulating online is calling for the renaming of Cesar Chavez Street in Austin to honor a fallen Austin police officer.
The petition, hosted on Change.org, proposes changing the street name to “Jorge Pastore Street,” in recognition of Officer Jorge Pastore, an Austin SWAT officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty.
“Renaming Cesar Chavez Street to Jorge Pastore Street will not just immortalize a local hero, but it will also stand as an inspiration to current and future generations about the values of courage, community service, and sacrifice that Officer Pastore embodied,” the petition reads. “It will serve as a daily reminder to Austinites of what it means to serve with compassion and bravery, and to act selflessly for the common good.”
The proposal comes amid broader discussion in some circles about the future of the street’s current name. Cesar Chavez Street is named after Cesar Chavez, a prominent civil rights and labor leader.
In recent days, there has been increased conversation on social media and in some community discussions about Chavez’s legacy following allegations of sexual misconduct.
It remains unclear whether the petition will gain enough support to prompt formal consideration by Austin city leaders. Street name changes typically require City Council approval and can involve additional public input.
As of now, no official proposal to rename the street has been taken up by the Austin City Council.
